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Watermelon May Have Viagra-effect
Science Digest ^ | 7-1-2008 | Texas A&M

Posted on 06/30/2008 10:11:53 PM PDT by blam

Watermelon May Have Viagra-effect

Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, says watermelon may have Viagra-like effects. (Credit: Image courtesy of Texas A&M University

ScienceDaily (July 1, 2008) — A cold slice of watermelon has long been a Fourth of July holiday staple. But according to recent studies, the juicy fruit may be better suited for Valentine’s Day. That’s because scientists say watermelon has ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects to the body’s blood vessels and may even increase libido.

“The more we study watermelons, the more we realize just how amazing a fruit it is in providing natural enhancers to the human body,” said Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M’s Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center in College Station.

“We’ve always known that watermelon is good for you, but the list of its very important healthful benefits grows longer with each study.”

Beneficial ingredients in watermelon and other fruits and vegetables are known as phyto-nutrients, naturally occurring compounds that are bioactive, or able to react with the human body to trigger healthy reactions, Patil said.

In watermelons, these include lycopene, beta carotene and the rising star among its phyto-nutrients – citrulline – whose beneficial functions are now being unraveled. Among them is the ability to relax blood vessels, much like Viagra does.

Scientists know that when watermelon is consumed, citrulline is converted to arginine through certain enzymes. Arginine is an amino acid that works wonders on the heart and circulation system and maintains a good immune system, Patil said.

“The citrulline-arginine relationship helps heart health, the immune system and may prove to be very helpful for those who suffer from obesity and type 2 diabetes,” said Patil. “Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has,

(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: citrulline; health; libido; medicine; viagra; watermelon
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1 posted on 06/30/2008 10:15:03 PM PDT by blam
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To: blam

I think them cherry pies do too.


2 posted on 06/30/2008 10:19:31 PM PDT by philetus (Keep doing what you always do and you'll keep getting what you always get.)
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To: blam

Sometimes seeing 2 melons side by side provides a Viagra-like effect as well...


3 posted on 06/30/2008 10:19:58 PM PDT by max americana
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To: max americana
One watermelon is enough to send a couple heading for the bedroom afterwards. Nature's Viagra. TM

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

4 posted on 06/30/2008 10:25:02 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: max americana

Hysterical! Great post.


5 posted on 06/30/2008 10:27:09 PM PDT by wac3rd (LIBS GONE WILD)
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To: goldstategop

If Bill Clinton should agree to campaign for Obama, now we know the perfect counter-attack: provide a roomful of watermelons in easy proximity and then watch BC go after every intern and campaign worker in sight.


6 posted on 06/30/2008 10:33:33 PM PDT by Enchante (OBAMA: "That's not the Wesley Clark I knew!")
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To: blam
Yep. A watermelon might just do that to a Texas Aggie.
7 posted on 06/30/2008 10:36:46 PM PDT by Zakeet (Be thankful we don't get all the government we pay for)
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To: Enchante
If Bill Clinton should agree to campaign for Obama, now we know the perfect counter-attack: provide a roomful of watermelons in easy proximity and then watch BC go after every intern and campaign worker in sight.

I don't think Baraq would like to be seen within a city block of a watermelon (not this year, anyway).

8 posted on 06/30/2008 10:39:46 PM PDT by Migraine (Diversity is great (until it happens to YOU)...)
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To: Migraine

No, but then Barak will not want to be in the same state with BC either. IF/when BC does campaign for Obama it will be like what he did for Hillary in the closing weeks of the primaries, in small towns and distant venues, far from the spotlight of the candidate. BC could be most useful for Obambi in those rural to suburban redneck areas of whites “clinging” to their guns and religion — places where BC could do much better than Obambi.


9 posted on 06/30/2008 10:48:07 PM PDT by Enchante (OBAMA: "That's not the Wesley Clark I knew!")
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To: blam
The more we study watermelons, the more we realize just how amazing a fruit it is

Every Southerner in their right mind has known this all along.

Shhh....we got to keep them amazing grits a secret y'all.

10 posted on 06/30/2008 10:51:56 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: blam
"...watermelon has ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects"

So all those damn cucumbers were a waste of time!?!

11 posted on 06/30/2008 10:56:15 PM PDT by mitch5501 (Top of the world Ma!)
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To: max americana

Now go take a VERY cold shower!
12 posted on 06/30/2008 10:58:19 PM PDT by stlnative (There is no room for B.O. in our White House !)
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To: blam

It’s true. Whenever I eat a lot of watermelon, I’m up all night.


13 posted on 06/30/2008 10:59:05 PM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (Barack Obama--the first black Jimmy Carter.)
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Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: FrPR
"She doesn’t even spit out the seeds."

Well...everyone knows what that means.

15 posted on 06/30/2008 11:04:57 PM PDT by blam
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To: FrPR
"Practically worships them. She doesn’t even spit out the seeds."

What,enviromentalists or melons?

16 posted on 06/30/2008 11:12:37 PM PDT by mitch5501 (Top of the world Ma!)
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To: blam

2 minutes and 20 seconds (you are quick)


17 posted on 06/30/2008 11:39:18 PM PDT by stlnative (There is no room for B.O. in our White House !)
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To: blam

Fried chicken, watermelon, and Moon Pies. I knew it had to be one of them.


18 posted on 07/01/2008 1:33:35 AM PDT by chuckles
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To: blam
Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center, says watermelon may have Viagra-like effects.

“We’ve always known that watermelon is good for you, but the list of its very important healthful benefits grows longer with each study.”


The doctor's a funny guy.
19 posted on 07/01/2008 1:36:49 AM PDT by Rastus
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To: chuckles

“Fried chicken, watermelon, and Moon Pies.”

Just gotta add oysters to that list, at least for us Southern coastal boys.


20 posted on 07/01/2008 3:41:57 AM PDT by fredhead (4-cylinder, air cooled, horizontally opposed......THE REAL VW!!!)
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